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The Flyer:

by Propel Financial Advisors

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Rising Phoenix or Worm Food?  The Future of Real Estate in a High Interest Rate Environment Thumbnail

Rising Phoenix or Worm Food? The Future of Real Estate in a High Interest Rate Environment

While it is true that REITs are under scrutiny during this unique economic environment, I do not think it makes sense to count them out just yet. In a recent webinar, Summer Money Vibes, one of our clients asked a good question. He wanted to know if the high interest rate environment meant that real estate was a bad investment. As always, let’s look at rates in context rather than just this moment in time. The below graph shows average mortgage rates from 1971 through August of 2023 – about a 50 year period. You can see from the graph that the rates we enjoyed from 2001-2020 are the lowest in the fifty-year period presented. The historic low occurred around December of 2020/January of 2021. Over the course of the past 2 ½ years, the purchase of a home with a 30-year mortgage increased to a hefty rate of about 7%. While that number is painful for those of us who have only been buying homes over the past 20 years, you can see that is in line or below the median rate of 7.41%.

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Well-Traveled Portfolios:  Why Propel Still Believes in International Assets Thumbnail

Well-Traveled Portfolios: Why Propel Still Believes in International Assets

A diversified portfolio that includes all facets of the world economy helps us to spread our risk around, and it encourages us to stick to our plan. It also acknowledges that there is no “right” answer. Routine savings and committed investing to a diversified portfolio that takes into consideration the quality of its holdings IS the plan. As investors, we can be easily overwhelmed by asset options. Propel advisors have spoken on that subject countless times over the years in individual client meetings, in our blogposts, on our webinars, and through our podcast. We keep talking about it because it’s true, and it’s also one of the primary ways an investor makes or loses money.

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Propel's Response to the Recent Bank Run Thumbnail

Propel's Response to the Recent Bank Run

In light of the recent bank closures, advisors Amanda Vaught, JD and David Vaught, CFA created a short video explaining the recent bank runs on Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. They discuss:  The regulatory environment that led to their collapse, The FDIC response, What this could mean for the Fed hiking rates, and How we think investors should think of the recent news.

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The Impact of the Civil War on Today’s Fiscal Systems Thumbnail

The Impact of the Civil War on Today’s Fiscal Systems

The debt ceiling, the Fed, and continuing issuance of Treasury bonds appear daily in our news today. Their historic roots tell us something about how they have worked, or failed in the past. President Lincoln faced the daunting task of the Civil War with a traitorous military rebellion, a traditional limited federal budget, and a not yet complete national banking system. How he and his Treasury Secretary, Salmon Chase, confronted this multi-front crisis tells us a great deal about the successful origins of our financial system today.

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